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Maxwell Lock & Dam

Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Subject Summary
Posting Date 1985-Nov-17 
NOAA REPORT 11/17  Situation:  At approximately 1300, a CG launch containing several  AST
personnel (Treubig, Groves, Alenitsch, & Snyder) was being hoisted from the  river when
one of the slings broke. The individuals in the boat were all dumped  into the river,
resulting in minor injuries to three. At 1715 the COE set off  the first of what will
probably be several charges in their efforts to clear the  dam. As of COB November 16,
1985, 72 drums had been recovered from the Maxwell  L/D debris area. The AST, NOAA, and
the  contractor demobilized at approximately 1800. All NOAA personnel departed for  home
AM November 17, l985.  NOAA Activities:  Tom and Dave continued with analysis of the drum
contents. All drums containing  material were sampled and analysed for volatile organics
(MM500), corrosivity  (pH), water reactivity, water solubility, specific gravity, and
halogens as  appropriate. The remaining samples and drums containing material (17), were
divided into 5 waste streams based on the analysis. The were:  Aqueous stream  10 samples
/drums-combined volume approximately 5 drums.  Oils  4 samples/drums-combined volume
approximately 2 drums.  Caustics  1 sample/drum-combined volume approximately 2/3 drum.
Ignitables  1 sample/drum-combined volume approximately 1/2 drum.  Heavy oil  1 sample
/drum-combined volume 1/3 drum.  Discussions were held with Lt. Phil Glenn, and Joseph
Porco regarding future  analysis needed, bulking, and disposal plans. A  series of
analytical tests needed for proper disposal was  tentatively agreed upon.  Dave spent much
of the afternoon at the hospital with the AST personnelhe drove  there.  Future Plans  Tom
McKinney will further discuss final analytical sampling with  Lt. Phil Glenn and Joseph
Porco by phone at 1300 EST Monday, November 18.  Tom McKinney-Office 504-388-8521  Home
504-383-6675  MSO Pittsburgh-412-644-4331,4329,5809  AMO Pollution Services,
Inc.-412-921-8486  Ted Kaiser-Office 313-668-2069 Home 313-971-6895